Hearing over waste risk to River Severn in Shropshire
A hearing will take place to determine whether a liquid fertiliser company should be made to empty underground tanks to prevent the River Severn in Shropshire being polluted with waste.
The owner of Liquid Fertilisers Limited and Quality Liquid Feeds Limited, based between Much Wenlock and Ironbridge, has appealed against an order from Environment Agency officials to empty underground tanks at the site containing liquid fertiliser and liquid animal feed.
The matter will be discussed at a hearing on July 7 after an initial meeting was adjourned earlier this month.
It comes after agency officials, Shropshire Fire and Rescue and members of both Shropshire Council and Much Wenlock Town Council raised fears about activities at the site before the anti pollution works notice was issued on December 23.
William Boon, owner of the firm, was unavailable to comment today. But the Environment Agency confirmed he had appealed against the notice issued.
Dhiren Katwa, spokesman for the Environment Agency, said: "On December 23 we served William Boon, director of Landowner Liquid Fertilisers Limited and Quality Liquid Feeds Limited, Much Wenlock, with a notice to empty and take steps to prevent the refilling of underground tanks on his site.
"The Environment Agency considers there to be a likelihood that the products from these tanks will enter and pollute nearby watercourses or groundwater.
"Mr Boon has decided to appeal the notice."
Sharon Clayton, clerk of Much Wenlock Town Council, said: "For some time the council has been concerned with activities at the fertiliser factory.
"In January representatives from Shropshire Council, the Environment Agency and Shropshire Fire and Rescue attended a town council meeting to inform members of their duty to ensure the safety of nearby residents should the site create a hazardous risk.
"Shortly afterwards, the Environment Agency notified the town council Mr Boon had been issued with an Anti Pollution Works Notice, served on December 23.
"This was served due to the risk of polluting and or waste matter entering the River Severn and Mr Boon has appealed against the notice."
David Turner, Shropshire councillor for Much Wenlock, said he had spoke in favour of the Environment Agency at the first hearing on June 3.
He said: "The community I represent needs protection from such matters."
A venue has not yet been confirmed for next month's hearing.
